Step-ladder



(No Model.)

J. A. NEILL. STEP LADDER.

N0. 403,602. Patented May 21, 1889.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN A. NEILL, OF EAST PORTLAND, OREGON.

STEP-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 403,602, dated May 21,1889.

Application filed October 26, 1888. Serial No. 289,178. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. NEILL, of East Portland, in the county ofMultnomah and State of Oregon, have invented a new and ImprovedStep-Ladder, of which the followingis a full, clear, and exactdescription.

This invention relates to folding step-ladders, and has for its objectto provide an effective and durable folding step-ladder which may beused as an ordinary ladder or automatically converted for use asafolding stepladder.

The invention consists in a folding stepladder, and in details ofconstruction thereof, constructed and arranged as hereinafter describedand claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar figures of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention in posit-ion for use asa step-ladder. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the upper portion of theinvention in folded position for use as an ordinary ladder; and Fig. 3is a plan View of one of the steps on under side thereof, with itsuprights in cross-section. Fig. 4 represents one of the step-hingesdetached.

The invention embraces in its construction bracing-legs secured to thetop of a step-ladder and uprights connected at their upper ends tobrackets on the ladder-top and vertically movable on each other, withrocking steps and supports for holding the steps at an incline to thefront or back of the ladder.

In carrying out this invention the following-described construction ispreferably employed, in which the ladder is formed with upright-s 1 and2, a top, 3, and folding supports or legs 4, connected by a cross-bar,5, secured to the top 3 by the plates 6, bolted to the legs 4 and havingflanges 7 at a right angle thereto, and secured thereby to the underside pf the top 3. The upper ends of the uprights 1 and 2 project andmove between the plates 6, and are connected thereto by screws or pins8, projecting through and riding in curved slots 9 in the plates 6, theslots 9 being of a sufficient length to permit the uprights 2 and thelegs 4 to swing together to closed position, as shown in Fig. 2, orswung apart tounfolded position, as shown in Fig. 1. The inner surfaceof the uprights 1 and 2 is provided at proper distances apart withrecesses 10, in which the ends of steps 11 are located, the recesses 10being formed with the upper and lower inclined shoulders 12, serving assupports or bearings for the steps 11 when tilted in one direction orthe other.

The uprights 1 and 2 have their upper ends formed with the inclinedsurface l3,which fit against the under side of the top 3 when thestep-ladder is unfolded, and are connected together on each side by thebent cross portion 14 of a T-shaped casting, 15, the inturned ends 10 ofthe portion 14 projecting through the uprights 1 and 2 and into the endof the steps 11, and serving as pivots for the latter. The main portion17 of the T-shaped casting 15 extends between the uprights l and 2 andbeneath the steps 11, serving as abrace therefor, and is secured to thestep by ascrew or bolt, 18, projecting through an eye, 19, in the end ofthe portion 17. The legs 4 and uprights 1 2 may be held in unfoldedposition, preferably by means of the folding bracearms 20, pivoted tolegs 4 at one end, and having their other end pivoted to upright 1 andsupported, when in unfolded position, by one of the upwardly-curvedpivoted ends 21, resting on a lug, 22, on the other curved end, 21. Bymeans of the construction hereinbefore set forth, when the ladder is infolded position, as shown in Fig. 2, it may be used as a single ladderon the back of the step-ladder, the top 3 and the steps 11 beinginclined downward, as shown in Fig. 2, and the crossbar 5 abuttingagainst and forming apart of a step, 11. In this position the ends ofsteps 11 rest at the inner side on the inner inclined shoulders 12 ofrecess 10 below the steps, and at the outer side bear against the outerinclined shoulders 12 above the steps. To use the ladder as astep-ladder, it is simply necessary to bear down with the foot on theouter edge of the lowest step, or to press down the outer edge of any ofthe steps with the hand, which will cause the legs 4 to be thrown out toextended position and the top to be moved to a level position and thesteps to an oppositely-inclined posit-ion from that in Fig. 2, as

shown in Fig. 1. A By this means the step-ladder may be readily andquickly unfolded without going to the side thereof and drawing it intoextended position. v I

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. A folding step-ladder constructed with de'rs, and steps having theirends located in the recesses between the reverse double inclinedV-shaped shoulders and pivoted to the uprights, substantially as shownand described.

3. A folding step-ladderconstructedwith the bracing-legs 4, the top 3,the brackets 6, each having curved slots 9 and rocking steps to top 3,the uprights 1 and 2, connected at their upper ends to brackets 6 bypins 8, pro-' jecting through slots 9, substantially as shown anddescribed.

4. A folding step-ladder constructed with the bracing-legs'4, the top 3,the brackets 6, with curved slots 9, secured to legs 4, and by means offlanges 7 to top 3, the uprights 1 and 2, connected at their upper endsto brackets 6 by pins 8, projecting through slots 9, and having slots 10in their inner face, with reverse double inclined V-shaped shoulders 12,and steps 11, having their ends located in slots 10 between the V-shapedshoulders 12 and pivoted to uprights 1 2 by the T-shaped castings 15,having the cross bent portion 14, connecting the uprights 1 2, on aside, the inturned, ends 16, projecting throughuprights 1 2 and into theend of steps 11;andthe main portion 17, extending beneath the steps andhaving an eye, 19, secured to the step by a bolt, 18', substantially asshown and described.

JOHN A. NEILL.

\Vitnesses:

C. P. FONTMILLER, CHAS. 0. STORY.

